पञ्चषषअट्यर्णमारभ्य नवनन्दाक्षरावधि
Beginning from sixty-five syllables up to nine syllables of delight—
त्रयोदशार्णा ये मन्त्रास्तिथ्यर्णाश्च तथा पुनः
Mantras with thirteen syllables, as well as those with fixed syllable counts again—
शतं सार्द्धशतं वापि शतद्वयमथापि वा
One hundred, one hundred fifty, or even two hundred syllables—
ये मन्त्रा वर्णसंख्याका निःस्नेहास्ते प्रकीर्तिताः
Mantras whose syllable count is fixed and devoid of affection are thus described.
अतिवृद्धाः प्रयोगेषु शिथिलास्ते समीरिताः
Those that are excessively long in practice are declared to be slack.
तद्वर्द्ध्वं चैव ये मन्त्राः स्तोत्ररूपास्तु ते स्मृताः
Mantras beyond that, which take the form of hymns, are considered as such.
दोषानेतानविज्ञाय मन्त्रानेताञ्जपन्ति ये
Those who recite mantras without knowing their faults and qualities—
छिन्नादिदोषदुष्टानां मन्त्राणां साधनं ब्रुवे
I declare the method for rectifying mantras corrupted by faults such as being broken.
यं कञ्चिदपि वा मन्त्रं तस्य स्युः सर्वसिद्धयः
Even any mantra whatsoever may yield all accomplishments.
योनिमुद्राबन्ध एवं भवेदासनमुत्तमम्
Thus, the posture is perfected by the application of yoni-mudra and bandha.
तदग्रे सरहस्यं ते कथयिष्यामि नारद
Ahead, I will tell you the secret, O Narada.
गुर्वनुज्ञारतः श्रीमानभिषेकसमन्वितः
One who is devoted to the guru’s permission, endowed with prosperity and consecration—
मन्त्रतन्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञो निग्रहानुग्रहक्षमः
He who knows the essence of mantras, tantras, and their meanings, and is capable of both restraint and favor.
तत्त्वनिष्कासने दक्षो विनयी च सुवेषवान्
Skilled in extracting the truth, humble, and well-dressed.
नित्यानुष्टानसंयुक्तस्त्वाचार्यः परिकीर्तितः
Constantly engaged in prescribed practices, such a one is called a teacher.
शमादिसाधनोपेतः श्रद्धावान् सुस्थिराशयः
Endowed with the means of tranquility and other virtues, possessing faith and a firm mind.
दृढव्रतसमाचारः कृतज्ञः पापभीरुकः
Steadfast in vows and conduct, grateful, and fearful of wrongdoing.
एवंविधो भवेच्छिष्यस्त्वन्यथा गुरुदुःखदः
A disciple should be of such a nature; otherwise, he brings sorrow to the teacher.
प्राक्प्रत्यग्दक्षिणोदक्चपञ्चसूत्राणि पातयेत्
Let him lay out five threads: east, west, south, north, and downward.
तत्राद्यप्रथमे त्वाद्यं द्वितीयाद्ये द्वितीयकम्
There, in the first and foremost, place the first; in the second, place the second.
तत्तदाग्नेयकोष्टेषु तत्तत्पञ्चममक्षरम्
In each fire enclosure, place the fifth letter accordingly.
नामाद्यक्षरमारभ्य यावन्मन्त्रादि वर्णकम्
Beginning with the first letter of the name, up to the letter of the mantra and others.
प्रादक्षिण्यात्तद्द्वितीयं साध्याख्यं परिकीर्तितम्
By circumambulation, the second is called the 'sādhya' position.
द्वयोर्वर्णावेककोष्टे सिद्धसिद्धेति तन्मतम्
In the enclosure of two letters, it is considered 'siddha' and 'asiddha.'
तृतीये तत्सुसिद्धः स्यात्सिद्धारिस्तञ्चतुर्थके
In the third, it is 'susiddha'; in the fourth, 'siddhāri.'
चतुष्के चेत्तदा पूर्वं यत्र नामाक्षरं स्थितम्
In the fourth, if earlier the name letter is present.
साध्यसिद्धः साध्यसाध्यस्तत्सुसिद्धश्च तद्रिप्रुः
'Sādhya-siddha,' 'sādhya-sādhya,' 'susiddha,' and 'ripu' are thus designated.
तदा पूर्वोक्तरीत्या तु क्रमाद्द्वेयं मनीषिभिः
Then, according to the previously mentioned method, the wise proceed in order with the pairs.
तुरीये चेञ्चतुष्के तु तदैवं गणयेत्सुधीः
In the fourth and in the group of four, the wise should count in this way.
रिद्धसिद्धो यथोक्तेन द्विगुणात्सिद्धिसाध्यकः
The 'riddha-siddha' is as stated; from double, it is 'siddhi-sādhya.'